Sacramento State vs. Life Pacific University

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Sacramento in Sacramento, CA with Life Pacific University in San Dimas, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

California State University Sacramento is larger than Life Pacific University based on total student enrollment (31,943 students vs. 621 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Sacramento is located in Sacramento, CA (Large City setting); Life Pacific University is in San Dimas, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• California State University Sacramento is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Life Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Sacramento 24:1; Life Pacific University 12:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Life Pacific University are 36.4% lower than at California State University Sacramento ($12,190 vs. $19,174).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.3% higher at Life Pacific University than at California State University Sacramento (about $1,500 more per year; $22,118 vs. $20,618).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Life Pacific University than at California State University Sacramento (100% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Life Pacific University students is 7.3% larger than aid received by California State University Sacramento students ($13,696 vs. $12,767).

Admissions details

• Incoming Sacramento State students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 20) as students at Life Pacific University (20).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both Sacramento State and Life Pacific University.
• Typical fall application deadline: Sacramento State Nov 30, 2026; Life Pacific University May 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Sacramento State average a 3.42 high school GPA, 0.51 higher than at Life Pacific University (2.91).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at Sacramento State vs. 33.8% at Life Pacific University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Sacramento graduates have a $4,780 lower median loan debt than Life Pacific University graduates ($15,750 vs. $20,530).
• Among borrowers, Sacramento State graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Life Pacific University graduates ($162 vs. $212).
• More Sacramento State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Life Pacific University students, three years after graduation (64% vs. 54%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.